Avalanche forecast

South Coast Inland

Jan 19 – 20, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Periods of low danger are a great time to explore more committing objectives.

Continue to use caution in avalanche terrain, especially on steep sunny slopes and around cornices.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Cornices weaken with daytime warming and can break further back than expected; give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridgetops.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Loose wet sluffing is most likely to occur in steep sunny terrain, especially as the day warms and sunshine intensifies.

Confidence

High

  • Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Avalanche Summary

Small wet loose avalanches were observed in the region on Friday and Saturday. Some recent cornice falls were also observed. Avalanche activity from much earlier in the week (see photos) is described in this MIN post.

Conditions are very spring-like: Minimal avalanche activity is expected, as long as the hard surface crust remains intact. Conditions may change if the crust weakens and melts with solar input and daytime warming.

Snowpack Summary

Many areas have rain runnels following the last storm. In general, a thick surface crust caps the snowpack. This crust may break down during daytime warming, and if well timed, provide some good riding conditions. The potential for wet loose avalanches and cornices falling will also increase with sun and warming.

In many areas, a new layer of surface hoar is growing on the surface.

Cornices are reportedly large and fragile; be mindful of them during this warming trend.

Otherwise, the snowpack is well settled and consolidated, with no current layers of concern. Total snowpack height generally varies between 150 and 250 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night
Clear skies. 10 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Temperature inversion with an above-freezing layer from 1700 to 3000 m.

Monday
Sunny. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 6 °C. Temperature inversion with an above-freezing layer from 1700 to 3400 m.

Tuesday
Sunny. 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
  • Limit exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Periods of low danger may be a good time to increase your exposure.

Regions covered